The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire

Known for their dynamic horns and the interplay between Philip Bailey's falsetto and Maurice White's tenor, this groundbreaking funk band performed at the White House for the first social event of President Obama's administration. Besides two Grammy Hall of Fame hits—"That’s the Way of the World" (2004) and "Shining Star" (2007)—this collection of 35 classic EWF songs includes "Devotion," "Reasons," "Sing a Song," "Can't Hide Love," "Getaway," "Fantasy," "September," "Boogie Wonderland" (with the Emotions), "After the Love Has Gone," "The Way You Move" (with Kenny G), "Dance, Dance, Dance," and "Let's Groove." Embracing the genres of R&B, soul, jazz, pop, rock, funk, disco, Latin, African, and gospel, these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers were hands down one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 20th century. Rolling Stone described them as "innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing," asserting that they "changed the sound of black pop."